Hendrik Goltzius

Home > People > Literature and the Arts > European Art to 1599: Biographies

Goltzius, Hendrick (b Mühlbracht [now Bracht-am-Niederrhein], Jan./Feb. 1558; bur. Haarlem, 1 Jan. 1617). Dutch printmaker, draughtsman, and painter of German descent, one of the most influential figures of his time in northern European art. He was the best-known line engraver of his day (he also made a few etchings) and the leader of a group of Mannerist artists who worked in Haarlem, where he founded some kind of ‘academy’ (perhaps a life class) with Cornelis van Haarlem and Karel van Mander. In 1590–1 he visited Rome and after this his style became more classical. Goltzius' right hand was crippled, but in spite of this handicap he was renowned for his technical virtuosity and for his skill in imitating the work of other great engravers such as Dürer and Lucas van Leyden. In his early career much of his work was reproductive, but he also produced many original compositions, including a splendid series on Roman heroes (1586). His portrait drawings are also outstanding, and the landscape drawings he made after 1600 mark him as a forerunner of the great 17th-century landscape artists. His paintings are generally less interesting than his drawings and much less advanced stylistically.

Goltzius, Hendrick (1558–1617). Dutch printmaker, draughtsman, and painter of German descent, one of the most influential figures of his time in northern European art. He was the best-known line engraver of his day (he also made a few etchings) and the leader of a group of Mannerist artists who worked in Haarlem, where he founded some kind of ‘academy’ (perhaps a life class) with Cornelis van Haarlem and Karel van Mander. In 1590–1 he visited Rome and after this his style became more classical. Goltzius's right hand was crippled, but in spite of this handicap he was renowned for his technical virtuosity and for his skill in imitating the work of other great engravers such as Dürer and Lucas van Leyden. In his early career much of his work was reproductive, but he also produced many original compositions, including a splendid series on Roman Heroes (1586). His portrait drawings were also outstanding, and the landscape drawings he made after 1600 mark him as a forerunner of the great 17th-century landscape artists. His paintings are generally less interesting than his drawings and much less advanced stylistically.

Hendrik Goltzius , 1558–1617, Dutch line engraver and painter; son of a stained-glass painter. He is said to have blended the naturalism of Northern European art with the classicism of Italy. Early in life he established himself as a printer in Haarlem, returning there after extensive travel in Italy and Germany. Goltzius was one of the greatest draftsmen of his era despite a drawing hand that was severely deformed from a childhood accident. Extremely popular in his day, he was a very versatile engraver, successfully imitating many styles, particularly those of Lucas van Leyden , Dürer , and various Italian masters. He was also known for his engraved portraits. In all, Goltzius produced about 500 plates of great virtuosity and considerable beauty. He turned from engraving to painting c.1600 and produced about 50 painted works, e.g., Danaë (Los Angeles County Mus.)